[TheForge] Re: Coal, Propane, or charcoal

[Saint Phlip]

Well, a shallower forge seems to work better. Mine is about 3 inches
deep, and it's still deeper than I'd like. That's why I'm so
interested in building the medieval forge- it will be shallower yet,
according to my reading of the instructions on De Re Metallica. For
the most part, the charcoal in a deep fire seems to be wasted, and
when you need a deep fire, it's easy enough to pile the charcoal up.

Lots of air, though, was my key, at first, and I much prefer my
hand-cranked blower because it's easier to control the air, both by
speed of cranking, and by letting it stop, so you aren't eating up
charcoal while you're hammering.

I started using coal, but I discovered that I was using charcoal to
start my fire- WTF? So I switched, and have continued with it, in part
because it's appropriate for my period of study, but also because it
smells better than coal, and it's lots easier to use while teaching.
For my students, they're learning how to heat and shape the metal,
rather than perpetually dicking with the fire to manage it. They learn
faster, and I get more done.

And, as a side benefit, I've never had a problem with fire safety
inspectors at the various sites I've taken it to. I just tell them
"It's a barbecue with an attitude" and they look at my set up, and
pass it without a qualm.

On Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 1:36 PM, Brian Reedy <lfpd7311 at gmail.com> wrote:
> I've always used the lump (real) charcoal, even experimented with making my own with varied amounts of success.  In fact, my first four or five projects were made with homemade charcoal, although the forge they were used in was about 6 inches deep making it easy to get the steel buried in heat.  Perhaps coal has spoiled me.  Perhaps it is I who has failed the charcoal.  I'm leaning towards propane almost entirely due to convenience.  With two small kids it's not often I get the chance to pound steel all day long, usually 1-2 hrs max.  For those of you speaking highly of charcoal, what fire management techniques should I be using?  It seems that using charcoal the same as coal is doomed to fail.  Obviously you're not going to make a "beehive" out of dampened charcoal, but then again what do I know?  Any help is truly appreciated.
>
> Brian Reedy

-- 
Saint Phlip

Heat it up
Hit it hard
Repent as necessary.

Priorities:

It's the smith who makes the tools, not the tools which make the smith.

.I never wanted to see anybody die, but there are a few obituary
notices I have read with pleasure. -Clarence Darrow